Medieval pharmacies in Riga sold more than medicine — including wine and spices

Pharmacies in medieval Riga offered a much broader assortment of goods than what people today associate with such establishments. This was discussed by Indra Vīlistere, a museum educator and historian at the Pharmacy Museum, on Latvian Radio's programme "Zināmais nezināmajā" ("The Known in the Unknown").

Wine as medicine

One of the products sold in pharmacies at the time was wine. It was not regarded simply as a pleasure item — physicians of the era prescribed it as a remedy to strengthen health. According to Vīlistere, it was believed that even a small amount of wine, around half a teaspoon, could ward off various illnesses.

A wider range of goods

Alongside wine, medieval pharmacies also sold spices and items related to entertainment. This shows that pharmacies of that era served a much broader function than simply selling medicine — they operated as a kind of general store, offering various goods needed and enjoyed in everyday life.

The account offered by the museum educator helps illustrate how different the understanding of health and medical treatment was in medieval times compared to today, when pharmacies focus mainly on selling medication.